The Power of Focused Thinking

By Edward de Bono (1981)

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Description

Ben shu fen wei qi ge bu fen, Fen wei bai se si kao mao, Hong se si kao mao, Hei se si kao mao, Huang se si kao mao, Lü se si kao mao he lan se si kao mao.

Additional information

Author

Edward de Bono

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Summary

What the internet says

Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.

Overall reception: Mixed reception

Edward de Bono's 'The Power of Focused Thinking' (1981) receives limited but generally positive reception online, though it appears to be one of his less widely reviewed works compared to titles like 'Six Thinking Hats' or 'Lateral Thinking.' Based on available reviews and discussions of de Bono's broader body of work, readers appreciate his practical approach to teaching thinking as a learnable skill rather than an innate ability. His methodology emphasizes structured thinking techniques and the use of specific tools to improve decision-making and problem-solving.

However, de Bono's work consistently faces criticism for his heavy reliance on acronyms and invented terminology, which many readers find artificial and burdensome. Reviewers across his books note that while his core concepts have merit, the execution can feel repetitive and overly simplistic. Some readers question whether the elaborate frameworks add genuine value or create unnecessary cognitive overhead. The reception tends to be polarized—those who embrace his systematic approach find it transformative, while skeptics view it as unnecessarily complicated common sense dressed up in jargon.

What readers loved

  • Presents thinking as a teachable skill that can be developed through practice, not just innate intelligence
  • Provides practical, structured techniques and tools for improving decision-making and problem-solving
  • Introduces useful concepts like lateral thinking that encourage breaking out of established thought patterns
  • Written in clear, accessible language that makes complex ideas understandable to lay readers
  • Offers specific exercises and frameworks that can be applied to real-world situations
  • Encourages consideration of multiple perspectives and alternatives before reaching conclusions

Common critiques

  • Heavy reliance on acronyms and invented terminology that readers find artificial and difficult to remember
  • Concepts can feel overly simplistic or like common sense repackaged with unnecessary complexity
  • Repetitive content across his various books with similar ideas presented multiple times
  • Some examples and illustrations are poorly executed or fail to clarify the points being made
Last updated April 28, 2026 Summary based on publicly available reviews. May not reflect every reader's experience.